Be grateful for all the lift-ups in your life!

"Open up and be aware of the good things in life, the best that God has given to you. Don't miss even the little bits of happiness.

They're all around you just waiting to be noticed and appreciated. Have you seen any sparkling eyes recently? They are a real lift up!

Baby soft skinThe warmth of a handFresh airGentle touch

A compliment from your bossA person genuinely interested in how you are

Nature walks

Positive people"

--Excerpts from my book, Happiness: Hidden in Plain Sight. (Check out book for almost 500 more ideas!)

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Celebrate TodayOne way to add freshness to your daily routine is to occasionally get out of that rut of respectable sameness. When was the last time you were simply silly? (second year medical school?, junior high school prom?, your second grade field trip?). When was the last time you giggled?

Oscar Wilde said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” And although consistency can be essential to effective treatment plans, it can spell boredom in your personal life when taken to extreme. So why not shake up a day or two by celebrating them in an offbeat way.

Do something different just for the day. Here are some ideas to get you started:​--Get up ten minutes earlier and stretch in front of an open window. (Be sure to put clothes on first if you sleep in the nude.)

--Salute the day with a promise of fun at some time during the day.

--Pass out smiles freely.

--Go out for breakfast…or have it in bed.

--Exchange chores with your spouse or partner.

--Wear a hat to work.

--Buy balloons or flowers for your office.

--Listen to at least one half hour of uninterrupted classical music.

--Plan a picnic lunch with basket and blanket.

--Read an out of town newspaper.

--Thank someone for doing a good job.

--Drive to work a new way.

--Participate in a special event.

--Write a poem celebrating today.

--Promote National Courtesy Month or National Hug Day.

--Check out what happened 10 years ago today, or 25 years ago, etc.

--Walk a mile at dawn.

--Have a homemade cookie coffee break.

--Have breakfast for dinner.

--Ask your kids to teach you something.

--Go to bed early and curl up with a good book.

--Fold your towels in a different way.

--Rearrange your desk or bookcase or office.

--Start a journal with the best thing that happened to you today.

--Really “Take care” and really “Have a happy day.”

--Take a different route home.​--Stop at the library and check out the latest book cassettes or videos rather than a commercial store.

- --author unknown

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Are You Blessed?

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are much better off than 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than 3 billion people.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

---Author unknown

"All this relaxation has exhausted me."

"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.:

"One thing that you can rely on is that there will always be uncertainty."

"I recently had my problems on the run, but now they've regrouped, and are making another attack."

"Will all who feel powerless to influence events please signify by maintaining their usual silence."

To improve my mental and emotional lifestyle, I hereby commit myself to making the following positive changes in my life.

I will:

---Begin to see myself in more positive ways and realize that I am a unique and capable person.

---Accept responsibility for my feelings and my happiness.

---Stop trying to change and control others.

---Put balance in my life; spend some time alone.

---Laugh often, keep things in perspective, and be hopeful.

---Reach out to others; be aware of the needs of others; practice kindness.

---Consider new ideas; allow myself to be creative and spontaneous.

---Learn a new skill, a hobby, or take on a challenge.

---Take time each day to consider what is really important.

---Be at peace at least for a few minutes each day, knowing that I am loved.

-- adapted by Jeanne Adams author unknown

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When It Feels Like Your Life is Out of Control...

Try This:

---Simply slow down or stop for a few minutes

---Put things into persective. Remind yourself of what is really important.---Pray

---Give yourself positive messages (e.g. "I have handled this before; I can do it again, even better.")

---Simplify

---Step back...distance yourself from the situation. (e.g. even walking outside for a few minutes can help)

---Let go of anger...remember that by not forgiving and by holding on to resentment, you are only hurting you.

---Give yourself a set amount of time (eg., 30 minutes) when you are not responsible for anything.

---Ask if all you are worried about will matter a year from now or even next week.

---Ask for help...from God, from those who love you, from friends and neighbors, from social service agencies, etc.

---Organize a small part of your environment (e.g. your desktop, a kitchen counter, a purse, etc.)

---Find a safe and peaceful place that you can go to and reflect...(e.g. an empty church, a park, your bedroom with a "do not disturb" sign, your backyard, etc.)

---Behave like the person you would like to become.

---Be gratefully aware of all that is good in your life.

---Take things one-step at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time.

---Pray again...for God to give you the strength to do what is right.

﻿ How to give yourself a Hug…﻿﻿---put your “To Do” list on hold temporarily and simply “be” ---spend time around those you love without any electronic devices ---make a steaming cup of hot tea or cocoa ---wrap up in a throw blanket and engage in a good book ---sink into in a warm bubble bath or take a cool shower ---allow yourself time for a nap ---buy fresh flowers just for you ---enjoy a special ice cream treat ---relax with your favorite CD ---buy an impulsive inexpensive gift ---snuggle with a pet ---consciously feel the goodness within you ---put on comfortable, loose fitting clothes ---if available, relax in a hot tub or pool by yourself ---feel the freshness of clean sheets ---take time to make a special breakfast and enjoy ---sit back in a recliner chair and browse through a favorite magazine ---give yourself do not disturb time ---breathe slowly and deeply ---celebrate your uniqueness ---give yourself a specific amount of time when nothing is demanded ---know that you can only do your best at a given moment in time ---accept yourself...there is nobody who can replace you ---spend time alone with God